By Derick Tsimba

Ministry Of Energy And Power Development, through  the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is inviting its customers that are producing solar energy to participate in a Net Metering programme in an effort to improve generation and supply of electricity domestically.

In a press statement ZETDC said the Net Metering programme was meant for solar energy producers to feed excess energy into the national grid.

“The Net Metering programme is a scheme in which any existing customer producing solar energy on their premises can feed excess power back into the ZETDC Network through a grid-tied invertor and smart meter, which measures both power consumed by the customer and power supplied to the grid.

“Any customer willing to participate in Net Metering is required to complete ENM1 application forms that are obtainable from all ZETDC Depots, District Offices countrywide and the ZETDC Website and pay the application fee,” said ZETDC.

ZETDC also said when approved, the customer has to pay connection fees, including the cost of connecting the smart meter.

“After approval of the application, the customer completes a connection form and makes a payment for connection fees covering amongst other things, the cost of the smart meter.

ZETDC shall conduct the commissioning test for the installation in the presence of the customer and thereafter the customer becomes a certified participant,” said ZETDC.

The Harare Post has learnt that customers will benefit electrical power units that will be credited to the customer reducing the total units billed at the end of the month.

Net Metering is beneficial to the utility and the nation at large by saving foreign currency due to reduced power imports.